The campaign theme for Internation Women's Day - “Better the balance, better the world” - is about spreading the message that a balanced world is a better world. We couldn't agree more! In celebration of IWD, we spoke to three of our amazing female leaders about their experiences of gender balance in what traditionally is a male dominated industry, what challenges they’ve faced along the way and what advice they would give to other women considering it as a career path. Read on to be truly inspired…

One of the most useful pieces of advice for students who are fundraising for their expeditions is to think about how you could make money from what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. This is exactly what Lucie Hanson, from Stockport Grammar School did to raise funds for her expedition to Madagascar this June. Lucie used her GCSE artwork as the basis for setting up a small business selling framed pictures that were both decorative and inspiring. Read Lucie's own account of how she managed to raise over half the full expedition cost from the profits.

Fundraising is an important part of the expedition experience as it involves goal setting, creative thinking, planning, self-motivation and problem solving. All useful skills for future academic or career endeavours. The possibilities are endless and in recent years there’s been a shift to more innovative, creative ways of fundraising. Some entrepreneurial students even set up small business enterprises that generate income over and above what they could earn by the hour or through traditional sponsorship methods. One such student – Phoebe – has come up with a fantastically original idea to generate funds for her expedition whilst also helping her local community. We call that a win-win! Read on to find out more…

Speaking at the Church of England Educational Leadership Conference yesterday (7th Feb 2019), Education Secretary Damian Hinds outlined a proposal to revive the 'character education' agenda. This is a subject that isn't just close to our hearts, it's ingrained in our DNA. Read on to find out more...

Francesca Gallone is a Regional Programme Manager for Outlook Expeditions, supporting our northern schools throughout the expedition programme. A passionate environmentalist and avid traveller, Francesca takes a keen interest in topics that affect our natural world – particularly in destinations that our teams travel to. Here she writes about her research into the palm oil industry.

Kathryn Lloyd is a member of our dedicated School Support Team, whose role is to support teachers, parents and students through their expedition journeys. On hand to help with every question, they offer support and advice and get participants ready to travel. Through chatting to our expedition community, they also hear some amazing and inspirational real- life stories; about fundraising achievements, teachers going above and beyond and tales of amazing personal challenges, overcome through the expedition process. Kathryn (an ex-expeditioner herself), will be sharing some of them them here on the Blog. Read on to be inspired.

With all the build-up and training our participants and leaders go through in preparation for their expeditions, they're well prepared on the essential items to pack. Waterproof jacket – check, walking boots – check, good quality socks – check check! But there are a number of items that aren’t necessarily on the kit list, that you might be very glad you packed. Maybe not luxuries but it’s amazing how the little things can make your day when you’re far away from your usual creature comforts! Read on to find out more….

Read about how Morwenna's been adding to her fundraising goal by organising events, managing stalls and linking with a local trust that helps support young people to develop skills.

2018 will be remembered by many for record temperatures, an exhilarating World Cup tournament and the ongoing Brexit dramas. We'll remember it as our most successful and thrilling expedition year yet.  From the huge range of destinations visited to the incredible personal achievements and the positive impact left behind from our project work. Our participants and leader teams made memories that will last forever. Here’s a look back at the 2018 expedition season in photos.

Read about how Morwenna got on at her UK training weekend as she goes into the final preparation stages of her expedition to Tanzania. Only a few more weeks to go!